Swim boys edge Ravens

Ramona High School’s boys swim team improved its Valley League record to 2-1 with a 93-83 win at home April 17 against Canyon Crest.

“It was a great meet,” said Coach Frank Yturralde. “A lot of good racing.”

The Bulldogs only earned first-place points in four of the 11 events but obtained other placing points to overcome the Ravens’ top times.

“We took a lot of seconds and thirds,” Yturralde said.

A swim meet begins with the 200-yard medley relay, and Ramona’s time of 1:51.5 gave the Bulldogs the eight first-place points for a relay race. Ramona’s “B” relay team finished third to obtain an additional two points and give the Bulldogs a 10-4 scoring advantage after the first race.

“That was a good start,” Yturralde said.

The Bulldogs obtained six first-place points and four second-place points in the 200-yard individual medley, with James Oneto winning the race in 2:15.41 and Kari Gonter finishing second.

Oneto also won the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:07.63.

Ramona’s other first-place finish was in the 100-yard freestyle; Mike Jones swam that event in 53.9 seconds.

Although the Ravens took the top two positions in the individual 200-yard freestyle race, Ramona’s Alan Williams made the Ravens swimmers work for those spots.

“Everybody was within five-tenths of a second,” Yturralde said. “It was a great race. Anyone could have been first there.”

Williams settled for a CIF meet consideration qualifying time in that event.

Kari Gonter also earned a CIF consideration time despite being touched out in the 500-yard freestyle race.

“For the 500 to be that close, it was a really good race,” Yturralde said.

Gonter’s time of 5:32 was also a personal record.

Collin Torsak also earned CIF consideration status after his time of 23.59 seconds placed him second in the 50-yard freestyle.

“All in all it was just a fun day for racing,” Yturralde said. “It was a really good meet to come back off of Easter break.”

The win gives Ramona an overall record of 3-2-1 in dual meets.

The Bulldogs return to competition with a dual meet tomorrow at San Marcos and travel to Palomar College for Saturday’s Ironman Relays.